(This week The Columbian-Progress spotlights Big Grip Towing co-owner William McNair Jr.)
Q: When and where were you born?
A: I was born April 23, 1963, in Fort Ord, Calif. My dad was an army man; I’m an army brat.
Q: Where did you attend school?
A: I went to Piney Woods, South Jones then graduated from East Marion in 1984.
Q: Where do you work? Tell us about your job/company.
A: I’m the co-owner of Big Grip Towing with my wife, Tracy. She got me into this. We bought a truck and have been rolling ever since. I pull for the city and county and four insurance companies I pull for. The name of the company came from my father-in-law; they used to call him Grip. We decided on Big Grip since he was 6-foot-6, so we named it in honor of him.
Q: What led you to your profession?
A: I worked for Taylor Motors for about 12 years in Hattiesburg on Broadway Drive and drove a wrecker truck for him. One of my wife’s friend’s husband was working on a tug boat, and a guy he was working with wanted to sell his towing truck so we bought it. You have to be willing to go out and get it.
Q: What do you enjoy most about your job?
A: I love everything about it. Matter of fact I just came back from one. This young man who stays here in Columbia had a wreck coming from Pike County, and he went into the woods Tuesday night. I like being able to help people. Coming up I was taught to never think I was better than anybody. Everybody is equal no matter what color or race you are. Treat everyone nice. My grandmother, Channie, always told me, “Treat people the way you want to be treated.” If I can help I help.
Q: What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
A: When you have to go down in the woods and pull a car out. You have to run your line all the way out and have to take your time making sure you get it all the way out.
Q: What is the most important lesson you have learned in your career?
A: Just dealing with people and treating them right. Some people are knuckleheads and some people are nice. But since I’ve been back down here, it’s been nothing but love. I graduated high school with my wife, and we separated and 20 years later we got back together. If you have a better half, that’s who is going to be with you from day one.
Q: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: Just like I tell my wife, if my dad was still living I’d probably be just coming out of the army now. I was born in ’63, and my dad, Willie McNair Sr., died in ’69. He was a second staff seargeant in the army. My mom, the Rev. Emma McNair, took care of six kids, and she did a good job. She never had us want for anything. She always made sure we had everything we wanted. She used to preach at Mount Zion Baptist Church. She lives in Ellisville now.
Q: What was your first job?
A: The first job I had was working at Jones County Junior College in the cafeteria.
Q: Who is the person who has been most influential in your life?
A: My dad. I remember four things about my dad: one was he pushed me on my bike and when I went around the corner I had a head-on collision with my cousin; when he would step in my room he would have to duck; when he brought my brother home from the hospital and put him on the bunk under me; and the last time I saw him he was getting on the plane to go to Vietnam.
Q: Do you have children?
A: I have four children, and my wife has two. All of them are grown except for one of mine. Mine are Denis Crowell, Monique Wright, Tierria and Marley. My two step kids are Veronica Lee, who used to play basketball at East Marion, and Shaun Lee.
Q: If you could have anything for your last meal on earth, what would it be?
A: A good home cooked meal from my grandmother. I loved her collard greens, Mexican cornbread, pork chops and gravy, sweet potatoes and a big tall glass of homemade sweet tea.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
A: Next year I’m going to Costa Rica for my step-daughter’s wedding, and I’m looking forward to that.
Q: What hobbies do you like to do in your spare time?
A: I like to shoot pool when I get the chance, shoot a little ball and catch up on my yard work. We have a little rental property as well, and I have to stay focused on the main point, taking care of all this.
Q: What do you enjoy about Columbia and Marion County?
A: It’s just the people. I met some good people when I came down here and stayed for a year, including my wife. I thank the Lord every day for sending her to me because I could have been another way but she showed me how to do things the right way. It’s just the people here. My grandmother told me I would never meet a stranger, and I never have.
Q: If you could have lunch with anyone from your life or history, who would it be and why?
A: My dad. I would just tell him, “I’m your son, and this is who I am.” We went through rough times, but rough times don’t last long. Tough people do. I believe I’ve weathered the storm already.
Q: If you didn’t have to worry about money, what would you do all day?
A: Just sit back under a tree and just relax.
Q: What is one thing you want to do that you’ve never tried?
A: It will just have to come to me, and I’ll cross that bridge when I get there. That’s just the way it is with me. Every day you’re faced with a challenge. You’re going to try to do better than you did yesterday and better than you did last month, but you always have a goal you set for yourself. Back in the day I couldn’t do what I can do now for my kids. Now they ask me for something and within a couple of days I have what they need. When I was younger people tried to discredit me for going to work, but I had people depending on me. It was never about me; I had people I had to care about and make sure they were all right. I promised my father-in-law he would never have to worry about his daughter or his baby girl. They don’t have to want for anything because if the Lord gives me strength to get up, I’m going to go get it.
Q: How would you like to be remembered?
A: He did all he could for his family. God and family, if you have God in your family you can’t ever go wrong.
— Joshua Campbell
Pictured Above: Big Grip Towing co-owner Willie McNair Jr., pictured with his wife, Tracy, said he thanks the Lord every day for sending her to him because she showed him how to live life the right way. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
